Ina Raymundo shares some sensible advice for women who want to ensure their fertility as they reach their 40s.
This is especially applicable to actresses who lead very hectic showbiz schedules during their prime years, and who tend to overlook their biological clocks.
Ina says, "You know, I feel for them.
"Pero for me, like ako, hindi ko kayang magka-baby on my own, natural. I will do everything.
"Mag-i-in vitro ako, lahat yan or magsu-surrogate. Gagawin ko lahat yun."
PEP.ph (Philippine Entertainment Portal) had the chance to interview Ina after the presscon proper of Ngayon at Kailanman at the Dolphy Theater, ABS-CBN compound last August 13.
DEEP FREEZE
Nowadays, one of the more widely accepted methods of ensuring fertility is freezing the woman's egg cells.
Ina says, “In fact, may mga kaibigan akong in their thirties, sinasabi ko, you gotta freeze your eggs.
“You have to face reality na kapag 30 na, nagdi-deplete na yung egg cell, yung pag-fertilize.
“So kailangan, halimbawa ayaw mo pang mag-asawa dahil may career ka, ipa-freeze mo na yung eggs mo para in the future marami kang options.
“Yun na yung... that’s the millennial thing to do now.
“You have to be open-minded.
“You have to freeze your eggs para you can have babies in the future kahit 40 ka na.
“Kasi you will wanna have a baby in the future.
“Pero I respect people na yung mind set nila ayaw nilang magkaanak.
“Wow, I respect you for that.
“Kasi you really have to have that feeling na ayaw mo talagang magkaanak.
“Pero kung meron kang longingness na magkaanak kaya lang busy ka, then you have to freeze your eggs.”
Ina explains the basic principle involved in the procedure.
According to her, it is essentially “harvesting” or preserving the egg cells through a deep freeze procedure, which ensures their longevity over several years.
She relates, “Oo, ipi-freeze yun and then pag may partner ka na, let’s say you're old not to have a baby the natural way, mag-i-invitro kayo or meron pa yung parang…implant?
“I-i-inject sa ano mo… maraming ways yun, e.
“Pero ang importante nga, meron kang eggs na mapi-freeze.
“Kasi ang guys naman, may sperm naman kahit on what age.
“Ang babae nawawalan ng egg cell.”
FERTILITY CENTERS IN THE COUNTRY
According to MayoClinic.org, "Egg freezing, also known as mature oocyte cryopreservation, is a method used to preserve reproductive potential in women.
“Eggs are harvested from your ovaries, frozen unfertilized and stored for later use.
“A frozen egg can be thawed, combined with sperm in a lab and implanted in your uterus (in vitro fertilization)."
SmartParenting.com.ph listed some of the fertility clinics where this procedure is done.
Center for Advanced Reproductive Medicine and Infertility (CARMI)
G/F Medical Arts Building, St. Luke's Medical Center-Global City32nd St. Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City
Call (02) 789-7700 ext. 2111
Email: inquiries@stlukescarmi.com
Visit stlukescarmi.com
Mich Dulce considered having her eggs frozen here until she decided to do it abroad.
Kato Repro Biotech Center (KRBC)
8/F Tower 1, The Enterprise Center, 6766 Ayala Ave Makati City.
Call (02) 822.1209, 801.1324, 801.8642, and 919.6802; 0917.7239211
E-mail: info-trbc@katoreprobiotechcenter.com
Visit katoreprobiotechcenter.com
It's the Philippine branch of a Tokyo-based fertility clinic that has been around since 2012. It's where Sam Oh had the procedure done, which cost her around P120,000 to P130,000.
Victory A.R.T. Laboratory Phil. Inc.
Unit D-1 Medical Plaza Makati, Amorsolo cor. Dela Rosa Sts., Legaspi Village, Makati City
Call (02) 884.2290 to 92, 94
Email: victoryartlab@yahoo.com
Visit ivfvictoryphilippines.com
It's headed by Dr. Gregorio Pastorfide, one of the pioneers of fertility medicine in the country. It's part of the Hong Kong-based Victory A.R.T. Laboratories.
Repro Optima Center for Reproductive Health, Inc.
G/F JRDC Building, Osmena Blvd., Capitol Site, Cebu City
Phone: (032) 256.2433 or (032) 254.6965
Email: info@repro-optima.com
Visit repro-optima.com
In-Vitro Fertilization Davao, Inc.
LG/F Brokenshire Womencenter, Brokenshire Hospital Madapo Hills, Davao City
Phone: (082) 305-1163, (082) 305-3525 local 4507
Email: ivfdavaoinc@gmail.com
The Medical City Through Dr. Anthony Marc Ancheta
Unit 1118 TMC Medical Arts Tower
Ortigas Avenue, Pasig City
Phone: 631-3873
The cost depends on the age.
In an interview with GMA News in August 2017, The Medical City's Dr. Marc Ancheta said, “The ballpark figure depends on the age. The younger you are, the lesser medications are needed to produce eggs.
"If you have a patient who’s 35 or younger, you probably [would] spend P250,000. If you’re a lot older, maximum probably is around P400,000 to P500,000,” Ancheta said.
“That already includes freezing the eggs and the embryos for one year. Board and lodging every year is P15,000.”